Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area is a 9,000-acre conservation area located in the southeastern region of Missouri, near the town of Piedmont.
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Summary
The wildlife management area is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including deer, turkey, quail, and small game.
There are numerous reasons to visit Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area, including hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and camping. The area is known for its excellent hunting opportunities, particularly for deer and turkey. There are also several fishing ponds within the area that are stocked with various species of fish, including bluegill, catfish, and bass.
One of the main points of interest within the area is the 1,500-acre Cut-Off Creek Lake, which offers a variety of recreational activities, including boating, kayaking, and swimming. The lake is also home to several species of fish, making it a popular destination for anglers.
Other notable features of the area include several hiking trails, including the 5-mile Cut-Off Creek Trail and the 1.5-mile Ozark Trail, which offer stunning views of the surrounding wilderness. The area is also home to several historic sites, including the 19th-century Mountain View Schoolhouse and the Ozark Trail Cemetery.
The best time of year to visit Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area depends on your interests. Hunting season runs from September through January, while fishing is best in the spring and summer months. Wildlife viewing and hiking can be enjoyed year-round, though the area can get quite hot and humid in the summer months. Spring and fall tend to be the most pleasant times to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
Overall, Cut-Off Creek Wildlife Management Area is a beautiful and diverse wilderness area that offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy. Whether you're a hunter, angler, hiker, or wildlife enthusiast, there's something for everyone to explore in this Missouri gem.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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